Village receives kudos from governor, then told of $4,000 recycling cut

When the Fredonia Village Board adopted a resolution last month endorsing Gov. Scott Walker’s budget-repair bill, it was seen largely as a symbolic gesture.

The resolution, which was adopted by the board 5-1, spurred a letter of appreciation from the governor.

Walker said the budget-repair law, which was approved along straight party lines, addresses the state’s anticipated $3.6 billion deficit over the next two years.

“The budget-repair bill works to provide the state, local units of government, and school district across the state with the tools and management flexibility to address their own budgets by reforming our collective bargaining system and asking public employees to pay approximately 5.8% of their salary towards their pension benefits and 12% toward their health insurance,” Walker wrote.

“By making these changes, elected leaders at all levels of government will be better positioned to address the pending short and long-term budget challenges facing our state.”

The village has no employees covered by collective bargaining agreements.